KR20020057977A - Electronic commerce system - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic commerce system or the like that enables users to conduct commerce relatively easily by improving the degree of freedom of electronic commerce on the Internet.

In order to achieve this object, when the server apparatus 20 transmits predetermined image data corresponding to a transaction object, the identification information addition processing 205 adds unique identification information corresponding to the transaction object to this image data. And the commerce process 304 of the terminal device 30 performs the payment server 403 of the payment device 40 by the payment process 306 based on the identification information extracted from the image data by the image data processing 305. ) Requires payment.

Description

Electronic commerce system {ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SYSTEM}

Electronic commerce system and electronic commerce method, computer readable recording medium recording identification information adding device and identification information adding program, computer readable recording medium recording transaction information providing device and transaction information providing program, payment information providing device and providing payment information A computer readable recording medium recording a program, a computer readable recording medium recording a payment processing device and a payment processing program, a computer readable recording medium recording an electronic commerce terminal and an electronic commerce program

The WWW (World Wide Web) service provided by many HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) servers connected to the Internet can be easily utilized by operating HTTP browsing software such as a web browser running on a user terminal connected to the Internet.

The operation of the web browser is facilitated by the introduction of a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, the number of HTTP servers connected to the Internet is increasing rapidly. Accordingly, the user can easily obtain a lot of information, and the WWW service has rapidly spread.

Recently, an electronic commerce system using such a WWW service has been put into practical use.

In such an e-commerce system, for example, product information such as product function, product appearance, price, etc. is provided as an HTML file, image data, etc. by an HTTP server connected to the Internet, and the user views the HTTP executed on the terminal. By operating the software (Web browser), product information can be viewed and product information can be obtained.

The user, who has obtained the product information, enters information about the purchaser such as name, price, credit card number, etc. of the product to be traded, such as name and price, in a predetermined format provided from an HTTP server, for example. The payment can be made by transmitting a to a server device that receives the information.

In addition, there is also an electronic commerce system in which, for example, a product can be appropriately selected while the product information is browsed by a Web browser, and the payment can be made later.

In such an e-commerce system, for example, an instruction by a user is detected based on access to an HTTP server from a user, and when the user selects a product, information of the product is recorded (specifically, product information is stored. In an HTML (Hyper Text Description Language) file to be provided, a button or the like for selecting a product is defined, and information about a product number, a price, etc., and information about a user are given to a predetermined process when a button is selected. IP address, etc.). Thus, the user can sequentially select the products while browsing the product information.

For example, in an HTML file for providing product information, a button or the like for instructing payment is defined, and when the user instructs payment by selection of the button, based on the product recorded so far A predetermined form containing information such as a list of purchased goods and a price is prepared and provided to the user. The user who receives the form makes a payment by filling in information on the purchaser such as a name, address, credit card number, and the like, and transmitting the information to the server device that accepts the payment information. As a result, the user can easily perform a transaction such as purchase of a product.

In the electronic commerce system which can select a product appropriately and make a payment later, while browsing the product information by the above-described web browser, it is necessary to specify the user because the user's selection status etc. need to be recorded for each user. . As information for specifying a user, information indicating access from a specific user on the Internet, for example, an IP address of a terminal used by the user, is required.

By the way, when using the Internet for the so-called dial-up connection, since different IP addresses are generally assigned to each connection, selection and settlement of goods must be performed during one connection, and settlement of the selected product can be performed in the next connection. There is no.

In addition, even when the Internet is frequently connected to the Internet, when the IP address of the terminal apparatus is set by dynamic IP address control (so-called DHCP), the IP address may change every time the terminal apparatus is started. Selection and payment of goods must be made before restarting.

When IP addresses such as NAT and IP masquerade are converted, only the IP address of the router can be specified from the HTTP server side, and the IP addresses of individual terminals may not be recognized.

By the way, in the electronic commerce system which can select a product appropriately and check it later, while browsing product information by a web browser, since the selection status etc. of a product are managed by an HTTP server, it is provided by several HTTP servers. It was not possible to collectively settle payments for goods that would be made.

In addition, from the point of view of security, the above-mentioned payment cannot be made on the Internet, and in order to make a payment, payment information must be sent using a telephone, a fax, or the like, or a connection must be changed to a private line, a virtual private network (VPN), or the like. There was also room for improvement in terms of convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic commerce system or the like that enables users to conduct commerce relatively easily by improving the degree of freedom of commerce.

<Start of invention>

The present invention is characterized in that unique identification information corresponding to a transaction target is generated, and the generated identification information is added to predetermined image data provided by the information providing apparatus, and the corresponding relationship between the identification information and the transaction target is recorded. Have

The information providing apparatus includes not only application software such as an HTTP server and a file server operating on a general-purpose OS, but also means such as processing embedded in a dedicated OS or dedicated software.

In addition to the devices connected to the same network as the terminal, the payment processing apparatus includes a device connected to the terminal via another line, a device physically the same network as the terminal, but connected to another secure path such as a VPN.

In addition to the HTTP browsing software running on the general-purpose OS, the terminal also includes means such as processing embedded in the dedicated OS or dedicated software.

In addition, the means for generating the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target or the processing includes, in addition to the extension program of the HTTP server, independent software for monitoring and controlling access to the image file, or hardware having equivalent functions.

In addition, the means for recording the correspondence relationship between the identification information and the transaction target includes processing software that operates independently in the information providing apparatus, means such as a logging function of an HTTP server, or software that operates outside the information providing apparatus. And the like are also included.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic commerce system for providing commerce information through a network such as the Internet. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic commerce system in which a user can easily conduct commerce by improving the degree of freedom of transaction using identification information added to image data. It relates to a commerce system and the like.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic commerce system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of operations of a server device, a terminal device, and a payment device constituting the electronic commerce system.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a table (generation log) recorded by a database of the server apparatus.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a display device of the terminal device.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table (update log) recorded by a database of the server apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display device of the terminal device when making a payment by a prepaid method.

7 is a configuration diagram of an information image file showing a storage structure of image related information.

8 is an example of image related information.

9 is an explanatory diagram of access to a pointer by menu selection;

10 is an explanatory diagram of a telop display process;

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of addition of an information image by drag-and-drop from a menu.

12 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the display of the first management area and the display of the second management area are switched by selection of a tab;

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the display of the first management area and the display of the second management area are displayed at the same time by being divided by a frame;

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which, when an information image file is accessed in the first management area (HTML), the second management area (HTML) is displayed after the update to manage the new information image file.

<Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention>

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic commerce system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic commerce system includes a server device 20 connected via a network 10 such as the Internet, a terminal device 30, and a payment device 40 that receives payment information. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the server device 20, the terminal device 30, and the payment device 40 connected to the network 10 are respectively shown as one, but the number of the devices is not particularly limited.

The server device 20 and the payment device 40 may be configured as separate devices or may be the same device as shown in FIG. 1.

The server device 20 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 21, a memory 22, a hard disk drive device (HDD) 23 storing software such as an operating system (OS), an HTTP server, text data, and image data. ), A network interface (NIC) 24 and the like.

In addition, the terminal device 30 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 31, a memory 32, an HDD 33 in which an operating system (OS), an HTTP browsing software (Web browser), and the like are displayed, and a display interface 34. And an input interface 35, a network interface (NIC) 36, and the like.

The display device 37 is connected to the display interface 34, and the operation screen of the OS, the display screen of the Web browser, and the like are displayed. In addition, a pointing device 39 such as a keyboard 38, a mouse, or the like is connected to the input interface 35, and an instruction or the like from a user is input through these peripheral devices.

In addition, the payment device 40 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 41, a memory 42, a hard disk drive device (HDD) storing software such as an operating system (OS), an HTTP server, text data, and image data. 43), and a network interface (NIC) 44 and the like.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of functional blocks illustrating operations of the server device 20, the terminal device 30, and the payment device 40.

In the server device 20, under the control of the OS 201, the communication control process 202 and the HTTP server classify the communication process into predetermined services such as Telnet, FTP, HTTP, etc. based on the control of the entire device, port information, and the like. Processing such as 203 is executed in parallel.

The HTTP server 203 provides information regarding a transaction target as an HTML file, image data, or the like.

Moreover, in commerce, it is necessary to specify a transaction target by the name, price, etc. of the transaction target. In this commerce system, such information is specified by obtaining payment information corresponding to identification information added to specific image data provided to the user.

For this reason, in the server device 20, the specific image data transmitted by the HTTP server 203 includes unique identification information (transaction identification information) for each transaction object, and unique identification information (access identification information) in response to access from a user. Identification information addition processing 205 for adding identification information, each of the identification information is recorded, and the identification information, image information added with identification information, payment information such as a name and price for each transaction object, and the like. Processing such as a database 206 for managing a table indicating correspondence is performed.

Specific image data to which the identification information is added is referred to, for example, from an HTML file that provides information on a transaction object, and is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 30 in accordance with this HTML file. In the terminal device 30, by transmitting this image data to a predetermined transaction processing program, payment using identification information can be executed.

Moreover, the management of the table which shows correspondence of identification information and payment information, such as a name and a price for every transaction object, does not necessarily need to be performed by the process of the database 206 etc. which are performed by the server apparatus 20, It may also be executed by a process executed in the apparatus.

In the terminal device 30, under the control of the OS 301, the control of the entire device, the communication control process 302, the input control from the user, the Web browser 303, the commerce process 304, and the like are performed. It is running in parallel.

The commerce processing 304 includes image data processing 305 for performing extraction of identification information added to image data and the like as described above, and payment processing for transmitting payment information and the like to the payment device 40 to request payment. 306.

Further, in the payment device 40, under the management by the OS 401, a payment request is generated due to the control of the entire device, the communication control processing 402, and the payment information from the payment processing 306 of the terminal device 30. Processing such as a payment server 403 for processing the data is executed in parallel.

The settlement processing executed by the settlement server 403 can be performed by a so-called prepaid system, in addition to payment by a credit card, payment by withdrawal from a user's account, and the like.

In addition, since the settlement server 403 needs to be able to acquire the information about the transaction object at the time of settlement, the acquisition of payment information such as the name and price of the transaction object corresponding to the transaction identification information added to the specific image data described above By the operations as shown as (A) and (B) below, it may be performed by the payment apparatus 40 side (example of A), or may be performed by the terminal apparatus 30 side (example of B), and is implemented The method can be changed as appropriate.

(A) The payment server 403 receives only the transaction identification information added to the above-mentioned image data from the terminal device 30, and acquires payment information such as a price of a transaction object corresponding to the identification information from the server device 30. do.

(B) The payment processing 306 executed in the terminal device 30 obtains payment information such as a transaction price corresponding to the identification information from the server device 20 and transmits it to the payment server 403.

By the way, when the information regarding the purchaser such as name, address, credit card number, etc. is configured to be managed in correspondence with the client ID by the database 206 or the like, or in the configuration in which the payment device 40 is managed in correspondence with the client ID. In this case, it is possible to specify if only the client ID is transmitted to the payment device 40 at the time of payment, and the payment device 40 is acquired from the database 206 or from the management information.

For example, in the conventional method of transmitting a cookie stored in the terminal device 30, since the cookie from each terminal device 40 is transmitted over the Internet, there is a possibility that information about the purchaser in the cookie is leaked. have. If only the client ID is transmitted from the terminal device 30, and the payment device 40 is configured to acquire information for specifying the user from the server device 20, generally, the number of the server devices 20 is the terminal device 30. ), And it is thought that the management skill of the administrator of the server device 20 is also relatively higher than that of a general user, so that the payment device 40 can be compared with the security improvement between the payment device 40 and the terminal device 30. Security between the server device 20 and the server device 20 is relatively easy, and the possibility of leakage of information on the purchaser can be reduced.

Alternatively, even when the client ID is sufficient, the terminal device 30 may be transmitted from the terminal device 30 to the payment device 40 at the time of payment from the viewpoint of the safety of the transaction. This is because the reliability of the information about the purchaser can be evaluated by comparing the information about the purchaser separately acquired by the payment apparatus with the information about the purchaser from the terminal device 30.

Alternatively, using only the transaction identification information described above as the identification information, information on the purchaser such as a name, address, credit card number, and the like may be transmitted from the terminal device 30 to the payment device 40 at the time of payment.

The operation of the web browser 303, the HTTP server 203, and the payment server 403 will be described below.

The user manipulates the terminal device 30 via the input interface 35 to designate a target address (URL: Uniform Resource Locator, a host name of a server device on which an HTTP server is executed), and a file name. Web browser 303 transmits a connection request including the file name to the server device 20 corresponding to the host name. This connection request is supplied to the target server apparatus 20 through the communication control process 302 and the network 10, and is supplied to the HTTP server 203 through the communication control process 202. FIG.

When the connection request is supplied, the HTTP server 203 reads data corresponding to the file name under connection request from the HDD 23 and transmits the data to the terminal device 30.

The URL first indicated by the user may indicate only a host name or only a host name and a specific directory. In this case, first, a standard name file (index. Html) in the root directory of the host or the indicated directory is read and the terminal device is read. 30 is sent.

The file of the standard name or the file instructed by the user describes the display of characters, the display of images, links to other files, etc. in accordance with HTML (Hyper Text Description Language).

The file from the HTTP server 203 is supplied to the Web browser 303 via the network 10 and the communication control process 302 of the terminal device 30. The web browser 303 generates display image data in accordance with the description of this file and supplies it to the OS 301. The OS 301 causes the display image data from the Web browser 303 to be an image in a window assigned to the Web browser on the display screen of the display device 37 via the display interface 34.

Here, for example, when the display of an image is instructed together with the file name of the image data among the files supplied from the HTTP server 203, the web browser 303 sends the image data corresponding to the file name to the HTTP server 203. Request to send.

Upon receiving such a transmission request, the HTTP server 203 reads the image data of the requested file name from the HDD 23 and transmits it to the Web browser 303.

Upon receiving this image data, the web browser 303 supplies this image data to the OS 301 as image data at a predetermined position in the above-described display image data.

Thereby, the image based on the image data received in the predetermined position in the window of the Web browser 303 is displayed.

Although the product information is provided as described above, the HTTP server 203 similarly provides specific image data to which the above-mentioned transaction identification information corresponding to the payment information is added.

The above-mentioned identification information addition process 205 is implemented as an extension program (so-called plug-in) of the HTTP server 203, for example. The identification information addition processing 205, when the file sending process 204 in the HTTP server 203 attempts to read and transmit a file of specific image data from the HDD 23, transmits the transaction identification information and access to the image data described above. Identification information such as identification information is added.

Since the individual transaction targets can be specified, for example, a number, a symbol, or the like attached to each transaction target can be used as the transaction identification information. In addition, if there is no duplication, the name of the transaction target may be used.

In addition, since it is sufficient to be unique information about each access, as access-specific information, it can generate based on the information, such as the IP address of the terminal apparatus 30 which a user operates, the date and time of access to a server, etc., for example. Alternatively, as described later, the access identification information may be generated using the unique identification information (client ID) provided for each user or each terminal device 30 in the commerce processing 304.

Alternatively, the access date and time itself may be used as the access identification information. Usually, since two or more accesses to one server apparatus 20 are not processed simultaneously, the information specifying the individual accesses can be obtained only by the access date and time. Therefore, even if the access date and time are added to the image data as the access identification information, individual image data can be identified.

As a function of the HTTP server, a function of recording an access log from the user is implemented. In this access log, the IP address, access date and time, etc. of the terminal device 30 of the user using the HTTP server can be recorded. Therefore, when the access date and time are used as identification information, by referring to this access log, an IP address corresponding to the access date and time added to the image data can be obtained. Therefore, the IP address of the user who has accessed the image data can be easily specified.

In addition, as long as the payment information of each transaction target is specified, only the transaction identification information may be added and the access identification information is not necessarily added. However, by adding the access identification information, the user can specify the individual access and operate the user. Since it is relatively easy to specify the IP address, client ID, and the like of the terminal apparatus 30 to be described, it is preferable from the viewpoint of improving security and securing of transactions.

The identification information may be added to be recognized as image data. For example, the identification information may be added to a blank area defined on the image format. It may be embedded in the image data, or may be added to the front region or the rear region of the image data main body on the image format. Moreover, in order to suppress processing load, identification information may be added as it is, or after encoding, encryption, etc. may be added suitably for improvement of security.

The image data to which the identification information has been added in this manner is handled in the same manner as normal image data in the file transmission process 204 and the communication control process 202, and transmitted to the Web browser 303 of the terminal device 30.

By the way, in the database 206, a name, a price, a payment method (credit card, payment, prepaid method, etc.) that can be paid in advance, a URL indicating an address of the payment server 403 that can be paid, or a line to which a payment server is connected or the like. For each transaction object, such as a method of accessing a network such as a VPN, a payment table indicating a relationship between payment information and transaction identification information is recorded.

In addition, the database 206 obtains information indicating the access situation of the user through the OS 201, the HTTP server 203, and the like, and access identification information to which the identification information addition processing 205 is added, and the access situation of the user. A table (generation log) indicating a correspondence relationship of the information indicating the information is created and recorded on the HDD 23. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the generation log includes the IP address of the access source, the host name of the server apparatus 20 in which the HTTP server 203 is operating, the access date and time, the file name of the image data, and the identification information. The additional processing 205 includes added access identification information and the like.

Thereby, referring to the generation log (or update log described later), it is possible to obtain access identification information added to the image data and information indicating the access status of the user such as the access source IP address and the access date and time. Therefore, the user can be specified relatively easily.

2 shows an example in which the identification information adding process 205 is implemented as an extension program of the HTTP server 203, but what is necessary is just to have a function of adding the above-mentioned transaction identification information and access identification information to specific image data. Therefore, for example, an image file is stored in a file server independent of the HTTP server, and when the access to the file server is monitored and an access request for a specific image file is requested, the image added with transaction identification information and access identification information. It can also be implemented as a process of sending out data.

In this case, the HTTP server and the file server and the like do not necessarily need to be mounted as separate devices, and may be executed as a plurality of server programs, identification information addition processing, or the like on a single OS. Alternatively, by using a so-called emulator, a plurality of OSs can be executed on a single device to execute a process as an HTTP server on one OS and a process as a file server on another OS. Thereby, although physically one device, processing equivalent to a plurality of devices can be executed.

By separating the HTTP server and the file server in this way, the setting of the access right can be set separately from the HTTP server and the file server, etc., and the flexibility of setting the security is improved. Therefore, it can contribute to the improvement of security.

By the way, since the above-mentioned identification information is not changed on the terminal device 30 side, payment can be made later if the identification information or image data including the identification information is stored. That is, even if a user who is connected to the Internet by dial-up releases the connection and changes the IP address, payment can be made using the stored identification information or image data to which the identification information is added. For this reason, it is not necessary to select and set a transaction target during one connection, and the degree of freedom of commerce can be improved.

In addition, if a transaction object that can be settled by the same settlement server, a plurality of pieces of identification information or image data to which identification information has been added are stored, and when payment is instructed by a user, the transaction identification information in these identification information is included together at the time of settlement. By sending to a payment server, even if it is a transaction object from which information is provided from another HTTP server, payment can be made simultaneously. As a result, the operation can be simplified, and the user can perform commerce relatively easily.

In addition, the commerce processing 304 executed in the terminal device 20 performs processing according to the identification information when the image data to which the identification information is added is supplied from the Web browser 303. This processing includes, for example, management of preserving, deleting, and updating the image data based on the identification information added to the image data, and based on the transaction identification information added to the image data as described above. The process of executing the settlement is included.

Hereinafter, the detail of each process is demonstrated.

As shown in the display screen example of the display device 37 in FIG. 4, the commerce processing 304 uses the OS 301 as described above, so that the window 502 is similar to the window 501 of the web browser 303. Is assigned.

The supply of image data from the web browser 303 to the commerce process 304 can be performed by a so-called drag-and-drop operation under management by the OS 301.

That is, a user manipulates the pointing device 39 to match the pointer 503 with the display position of the image 504 displayed in the window 501 of the web browser 303, so that the button of the pointing device 39 is used. Or the like, and then operating the pointing device 39 again to move the pointer 503 onto the window 502 of the commerce process 304 to release the button or the like of the pointing device 39. Image data is supplied from the web browser 303 to the commerce processing 304 via the OS 301.

When the image data is supplied, the commerce process 304 causes the image 505 according to the supplied image data to be displayed at the position of the pointer 503.

The image data is saved by the transaction processing 304 when the image data is supplied by the above-described drag-and-drop operation, in the predetermined area of the HDD 33 via the OS 301.

At this time, the commerce processing 304 requests the database 206 for the above-mentioned payment information corresponding to the transaction identification information in the image data, and stores the payment information acquired from the database 206 in correspondence with the image data. You may also

Incidentally, the image data is deleted by deleting the image data selected by the instruction from the user in the predetermined area of the HDD 33 described above.

In addition, update of image data is performed in order to update the image data stored by the latest thing at that time. This update process may be performed according to an instruction from a user, for example, and may be performed based on information, such as the creation date recorded in the file of image data. It may also be executed automatically at predetermined intervals.

When starting the update process, the commerce process 304 first extracts the identification information added to the image data to be updated, and transmits the identification information, the file name, and the like to the HTTP server 203 and the database 206 to transmit the image. Request update of data.

This update request is supplied to the HTTP server 203 and the database 206 as a packet of a predetermined port through the communication control process 302, the network 10, and the communication control process 202.

In addition, at the time of updating, the commerce process 304 may transmit the whole image data, and the HTTP server 203 or the database 206 may extract identification information from the obtained image data.

The commerce processing 304 is also given unique identification information (client ID) for each user or for each terminal device 30. This client ID is, for example, an HTTP server 203 as a packet of a predetermined port through the communication control process 302, the network 10, and the communication control process 202, for example, when updating image data. Supplied to database 206.

When the update of the image data is instructed, the file sending process 204 of the HTTP server 203 instructs the HDD 23 to read the image data corresponding to the file name that is being updated.

At this time, the identification information adding process 205 generates new access identification information in response to the access situation from the user and adds it to the image data. The identification information addition processing 205 confirms whether or not the transaction identification information is updated, and adds new transaction identification information to the image data if the transaction identification information is updated.

The image data to which new identification information is added is supplied to the commerce process 304 of the terminal device 30 through a predetermined port, and the image data is updated.

On the other hand, the database 206 acquires information indicating the access status of the user via the OS 201, the HTTP server 203, and the like, and the identification information newly added by the identification information addition processing 205, and the access status of the user. A table (update log) indicating a correspondence relation of the information indicating the information is created and recorded on the HDD 23 separately from the above-described generation log.

For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the update log is the IP address of the access source, the host name of the server apparatus 20 to which the identification information is newly added, the date and time of the access (update date and time), and the image, as in the generation log. In addition to including a file name of the data, identification information to which the identification information addition processing 205 is added, information (generation server ID) for specifying the server device 20 that generated the original identification information, the user or the user It also includes a client ID and the like for specifying the terminal device 30 to be used.

Referring to this update log, information for specifying the user or the terminal device 30 corresponding to the identification information added to the image data is obtained, and it is possible to more accurately specify the acquisition path or the like of the image data. Therefore, by comparing the information sent from the user with the information about the user obtained from the update log, the payment server 403 can evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the information from the user, thereby improving the safety of the transaction relatively easily. have.

In addition, payment processing based on transaction identification information added to image data is performed by the user selecting specific image data and instructing payment.

When the payment is instructed, the payment processing 306 transmits the transaction identification information, the access identification information, and the above-described client ID of the image data selected by the user to the payment server 403, and the payment server 403 transmits their identification information and the like. According to the payment process.

In the case of making a payment by the prepaid method, as shown in FIG. 6, the user operates the pointing device 39 to identify identification information (prepaid) corresponding to the prepaid information displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus 37. The image 601 including the identification information) may be instructed by being superimposed on the image 602 to be settled.

If such an instruction is given, the payment processing 306 transmits transaction identification information, prepaid identification information, and the like to the payment server 403, and the payment server 403 executes payment processing according to these identification information.

For example, when the settlement information corresponding to the transaction identification information described above includes the URL of the settlement server 403 that can be settled, the image data processing 305 displays this URL when the user instructs the settlement. Supply to payment processing 306 to instruct payment. Thereby, the user can instruct the payment to the payment server 403 of the predetermined URL by referring only to the image data, so that the user can easily conduct a commerce.

In addition, when the access method (for example, connection by a dedicated line, a VPN, etc.) to the network to which the payment server 403 is connected as payment information corresponding to the transaction identification information mentioned above is used, a commerce process ( 304 to the payment processing 306 may be configured to automatically connect to the payment server 403 via the communication control process 302 to perform a payment. As a result, the user can conduct commerce without paying particular attention to access to the payment server 403, thereby improving convenience.

In addition, although FIG. 2 mentioned above shows the example which implemented the commerce process 304 as a process separate from the web browser 303, transaction identification information etc. which were added to image data according to the instruction from a user are sent to a payment server. Since the transmission function is provided, it can be implemented as an extension program (so-called plug-in) of the Web browser 303.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A structure and a mounting method can be changed suitably within the range of the technical idea of this invention.

For example, although the server apparatus 20 and the payment apparatus 40 are shown as individual apparatuses in FIG. 1 mentioned above, the server apparatus and the payment apparatus can also serve as the program which executes both processes. .

In the above description, the payment information is managed in correspondence with the transaction identification information by the database 206 and the transaction identification information is added to the image data. However, the payment information is also added to the image data together with the transaction identification information. You may do so.

Hereinafter, the said embodiment is further explained in full detail.

[Image file structure]

7 is an example of the data structure of an image file handled in the above embodiment. The picture file shown in FIG. 7 includes a start part 51 indicating the start of the data stream, an image data part 52 describing the display data of the image, and an annotation part describing the information not affecting the display of the image. 53, and an end portion 54 indicating the end of the data stream. For example, JPEG files and GIF files employ such a data structure. Pointer information such as identification information or URL added to the above-described image data can be described in the annotation unit 53 as information that does not affect the display of the image. Moreover, even if it is another image format, if it is a format which has the area | region of information which does not affect the display of an image, it can describe in that area. In the data stream of the image file, a region which is ignored in the display of the image, unique identification information of the image file, a pointer to one or more pieces of information, an index of a menu item corresponding to the image file, and / or a program You can record the identity of. As described above, the image data can also be added by digital watermark technology.

In the following description, identification information, pointer information, and the like added to the image data are referred to as "image related information". In addition, the image file which added image related information to image data is called "information image file."

[Configuration of Image Related Information]

8 is a configuration diagram of image related information. The image related information shown in Fig. 8A includes information of an image name, a password, an expiration date, a thumbnail image, a category, and a keyword.

"Image name" is a name of an image displayed in the window 502 of the image data processing 305 as a thumbnail. "Password" is a password for which a user input is required when supplying the information image file to the image data processing 305. Only a user who knows this password can register the information image file in the image data processing 305. "Expiration date" is the expiration date of the information image file supplied to the image data processing 305, and when this expiration date has passed, the information image file is deleted from the recording area of the HDD 33. "Thumbnail image" means that when the information image file displayed on the browser is supplied to the window of the image data processing 305, the thumbnail image is replaced with the image displayed on the browser to display the thumbnail in the window of the image data processing 305. Data of the image file. "Category" is data specifying a folder in which the information image file should be stored when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 305. If the designated folder does not exist, the image data processing 305 creates a new folder of the designated name. A "keyword" is a word that becomes a search key when the information data file supplied by the image data processing 305 is searched.

In addition, the image related information shown in FIG. 8B is associated with each pointer information in association with a command name, an action table, assignment of a mouse (pointing device) operation, and a platform.

"Pointer information" designates the location of a file on a local computer or on a network. For example, a file name, a path name indicating the location of a resource on the local computer, a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) indicating the location of a resource in a network environment, a URL indicating the location of a resource on the Internet or an intranet ( Uniform Resource Locators (URIs) or Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) constitute pointer information. "Command name" is a display name used when displaying the contents of a pointer on a menu. For example, "access to homepage". Here, a "menu" is a menu which is displayed on the display means 37 and can be selected when the right button of the mouse 39 is clicked, for example. The "action table" designates the operation of the image data processing 305. The content of the designated operation stores the file indicated by the pointer information added to the information image file when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 305 in the HDD (storage means: 33) of the terminal device 30. Whether or not to automatically execute the file, and how to execute the file (telop display, video playback, audio playback, etc.). "Assign mouse operation" sets a mouse operation for accessing pointer information. Types of settings are double click, Shift + double click, Ctrl + double click, Alt + double click. "Platform" designates an environment (platform, OS) suitable for a file indicated by pointer information. For example, when the OS 301 is windows (trademark), the image data processing 305 selects a pointer of information corresponding to windows and displays it in the above menu.

[Access to pointer information]

In the terminal device 30, a method of accessing a pointer recorded in an information image file will be described.

(1) Method by menu selection

9 is an explanatory diagram of a method of accessing a pointer by menu selection. The user operates the mouse 39 (pointing device) to superimpose the pointer 403 on the image 405 supplied to the window 502 of the image data processing. Next, the user clicks the right button of the mouse 39. When the MPU 31 (information processing means) detects this click, the image related information (Fig. 8 (b)) included in the information image file corresponding to the image 405 is read out from the recording means 33, and the menu Generate display data. That is, "command name" is extracted as a menu item, and the menu 55 is displayed on the display means 37. Next, the user operates the mouse 39 to move the pointer 403 to superimpose on the menu item to be selected. Then, the left button of the mouse 39 is clicked to select and determine one menu item. Upon detecting this click, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information (Fig. 8 (b)) and inputs pointer information corresponding to the selected command name to the browser 303 to access the pointer. When the MPU 31 receives the file returned from the server in response to the access destination, the MPU 31 executes the received file in accordance with the action table corresponding to the command name selected this time. For example, playback of a video by a real player (trademark) is performed.

Here, the item of the menu displayed when the image displayed in the window 502 of the image data processing is clicked is determined by the content of the image related information embedded in the information image file. The information image file containing the image related information is transmitted from the server device 20. In other words, the menu item displayed by the mouse click is determined by the information downloaded from the server device 20.

(2) method by mouse operation

When the button operation of the mouse 39 and the key operation of the keyboard 38 are performed while the window 502 of the image data processing is selected, a predetermined information pointer can be accessed in response to this operation. When the operation of the mouse 39 and the operation of the keyboard 38 are performed, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information with reference to "assignment of the mouse operation" (Fig. 8 (b)), and the corresponding operation is defined. Determine if it is. If the corresponding operation is defined, the pointer information corresponding to the operation is read, and the pointer is input to the browser 303 to access the pointer. When the MPU 31 receives the file returned from the server in response to the access destination, the MPU 31 executes the received file in accordance with the action table corresponding to the command name selected this time. Here, the same mouse operation may be assigned to a plurality of actions.

[Specific example of access to information pointer]

Next, a specific example of the operation when the pointer of information is accessed will be described. Here, an example of the "telop display" shown in the action table of FIG. 8 (b) will be described. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a telop display operation. When defining a "telop display" in the action table, the corresponding pointer information designates a pointer to which the telop text file is stored, and the action table simultaneously saves the text file to the local disk when the information image file is downloaded. It also specifies the action (control code) for the telo display. In addition, the mouse operation is assigned, for example, by single-clicking the left button (the above designation is usually performed by an information image provider on the server side).

When the information image file having this image related information is supplied from the browser 303 to the image data processing 305 in the terminal device 30, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information, and the pointer has been designated "save". Start access to. Then, the text file of the telop is downloaded from the server corresponding to the pointer and stored in the local HDD 33.

Then, when the user operates the mouse 39 to click and select an image displayed in the window 502 of the image data processing, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information corresponding to the selected image and defines it in the action table. If it is confirmed that the control code is "telop display", as shown in Fig. 10, a thin elongated window for displaying the telop is displayed in the area of the window of the image data processing (or may be out of the area), and the HDD is displayed in this window. The text of the telop read from (33) is scrolled. As shown in Fig. 10, when a plurality of images 405 and 405 are supplied, it is also possible to display different telops in response to the images selected by the mouse 39.

[Supply of Information Image File to Image Data Processing]

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the supply of the information image file to the image data processing can be performed by a drag-and-drop operation from the window 501 of the browser to the window 502 of the image data processing. Here, another supply method is demonstrated.

(1) drag-and-drop from a menu

11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of drag-and-drop from a menu. As described above, the menu 55 (first management area) is displayed by right-clicking the mouse 39, and a menu item for adding an information image is selected from the mouse 39. FIG. In the information image addition menu, for example, as defined in the bottom row of Fig. 8B, the control code of the action table is set to a control code dedicated to image addition. When the user operates the mouse 39 and drags and drops the menu item for adding an information image into the window 502 (second management area) of the image data processing, the MPU 31 detects this operation and the image See related information (Fig. 8 (b)). When the control code of the action table corresponding to the operated menu item is checked and it is confirmed that the image is added, access to the corresponding pointer is started. When a new information image file is downloaded from a predetermined server for this access, the MPU 31 performs the newly downloaded information image file similarly to the process of supplying the information image file from the browser 303 to the image data processing 305. Is supplied to the image data processing 305.

According to this, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to run the browser one by one in order to supply a new information image file.

Of course, by simply clicking on the menu item for adding an information image with the mouse 39, the new information image file may be downloaded and supplied to the image data processing 305. FIG.

The new information image file may also be stored inside another already supplied information image file. In this case, when the information image addition menu item (first management area) becomes drag-and-drop or the like, the MPU 31 does not access the server on the network and does not access the image of the information image file currently being targeted. With reference to the information, another information image file registered in advance is read out and supplied to the image data processing 305 (second management area).

In this case, there is an effect that it is not necessary to connect to a server on a network in order to supply a new information image file.

(2) drag and drop from mail software

The information image file attached to the mail software may be dragged and dropped into the window 502 of the image data processing to supply the information image file to the image data processing 305. The browse window of the mail body and the confirmation window of the attached file become the first management area. In this case, since the information image file can be distributed by using an e-mail and made available to the recipient, the effective information can be expanded and distributed.

(3) drag-and-drop from any folder

An information image file once copied from a browser or mail software to a predetermined folder may be supplied by dragging and dropping from the folder (first management area) to the window 502 (second management area) of image data processing. do. The MPU 31 detects the drag-and-drop operation from any folder to the window 502 of the image data processing, and performs the image data processing 305 in the same manner as in the drag-and-drop processing from the browser described above. Supply an information image file.

(4) Supply method other than drag-and-drop

The supply of the information image file to the image data processing 305 can be realized even if the above-described drag-and-drop operation is replaced with another operation. For example, the MPU 31 may detect that the information image file managed outside of the image data processing 305 is clicked, and may supply the information image file to the image data processing 305. In addition, when the information image file managed outside of the image data processing 305 is copied to the clipboard and subsequently attached from the clipboard to the window 502 of the image data processing, the MPU 31 performs this operation. It may be made to detect and supply this information image file to image data processing.

(5) Supply from recording media such as CDROM

The information image file may be supplied from a computer readable recording medium such as a CDROM. In this case, the image data processing 305 (second management area) is performed on the information image file displayed in the folder (first management area) of the CDROM by the drag-and-drop operation, click operation, copy and paste operation described above. The installer may be started automatically when the CDROM is driven, and the installer may supply the information image file recorded in the CDROM to the image data processing 305. In addition, when the installer supplies the information image file, the installer examines the information image file already supplied to the image data processing 305, selects only the unsupplyed information image file, and supplies it to the image data processing 305. You may do so.

According to this, it becomes possible to distribute an information image file as an appendix of a magazine, etc., and to distribute to an unspecified user and to make it available.

[Configuration of the first management area and the second management area]

Although the 1st management area | region and the 2nd management area | region may be provided by independent windows (process and program), respectively, as shown in FIG. 4, implementation by other forms is also possible. Some examples are shown below.

12 shows a window 501 of a Web browser and a window 502 of image data processing by a single program, and selects a display selection tab above the window by operating the input means 35 to select the selected side. The embodiment alternatively displays a window. First, the information image file 404 displayed in the window 501 of the web browser is accessed and registered in the window 502 of image data processing in the background. As the method for accessing the information image file 404, various methods described above can be adopted. Next, the display selection tab is operated through the input means 35 to display the window 502 of the image data processing. Thereby, it becomes possible to access the information image file registered by image data processing.

In addition, Fig. 13 provides a display window of a frame structure, provides a frame as a window 501 of a web browser, and simultaneously provides another frame as a window 502 of image data processing. In this case, an access operation of dragging and dropping the information image file 404 from the frame 401 of the Web browser to the frame of the image data processing is easy, but the image data processing of the information image file by the other access method described above is easy. Of course, it can supply.

In Fig. 14, when the information image file 404 displayed in the window 501 of the Web browser is accessed, the processing means 31 starts a plug-in previously installed in the web browser. As the method for accessing the information image file, various methods described above can be adopted. The activated plug-in adds management of a new information image file to a local HTML file stored in the storage means 33 in advance as a second management area. Then, the local HTML file after adding the new information image is developed as the second management area 402 in the web browser. When deploying a local HTML file to a web browser, you may deploy to an existing web browser, or you may start a new web browser and deploy it separately.

[Encryption of image related information]

Next, the encryption process of image related information added to image data is demonstrated.

[Encryption processing on server device]

The identification information addition processing 205 of the server device 20 has a function of encrypting and adding image related information added to the image data. The encryption algorithm is updated for a predetermined period. By encrypting the image related information, it is possible to prevent the third party from using the image file by additionally deleting and changing the image related information.

[Decryption Processing in Terminal Device]

In the terminal device 30, the MPU 31 decodes the image related information when referring to the image related information added to the image data. The decryption algorithm is stored in the HDD 33 in advance in correspondence with the encryption algorithm in the server device 20. However, since the encryption algorithm of the server device 20 is updated over a certain period of time, when the encryption algorithm of the server device 20 is updated, the decryption algorithm of the terminal device 30 may also be updated to conform to the updated encryption algorithm. There is a need.

[Update of Decoding Algorithm]

The server device 20 manages the version of the decryption algorithm stored in the terminal device 30 in the database for each ID (IP address, etc.) of the corresponding terminal device. When the encryption algorithm of the image related information is updated in the server device 20, flags are set for the IDs of all the terminal devices, and then the terminal devices that access the server device 20 correspond to the IDs of the terminal devices. The terminal apparatus with the flag set is transmitted by updating the decryption algorithm corresponding to the new encryption algorithm. Then, the flag corresponding to the ID of the terminal device which has completed the update is released. The decryption algorithm is stored in the HDD 23 of the server device.

The image data processing 305 has a function of checking whether the data structure of the decoded image related information is normal by decoding the image related information included in the information image file when the information image file is supplied. If the data structure after decoding is not normal, the supply of the information image file is prohibited. As a result, it is possible to prevent the supply of the information image file which is unjustly changed. In addition, determination of an illegal information image file may be performed based on identification information added to image data.

[Billing processing]

Next, the charging method when the information image file is supplied from the browser to the image data processing 305 will be described. When the information image file is supplied from the browser to the image data processing 305, the charging is performed by the image data processing 305 accessing the server device 20 and requesting processing of the charging.

The access log (generation log) described in the embodiment of the invention is generated on the condition that the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 305 from the browser in the terminal device 30. That is, when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 305, the MPU 31 extracts identification information embedded in the information image file from the supplied information image file, and extracts the identification information and the file name of the information image file. It transmits to the server apparatus 20. FIG. The server device 20 generates the above-described generation log (Fig. 3) by relating the received identification information and image file name, the IP address and host name of the accessed terminal, and the access date and time. For this reason, the fact that the information image file was supplied to the image data processing in the terminal device 30 is recorded in the access log of the server device 20.

[Charging Processing (1)]

The first charging method charges only the first supply for the supply of the same information image file by the same terminal (or the same user or the image data processing 305 having the same ID), and the second and subsequent supply. It is a method not charging. When the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 305, the MPU 31 of the terminal device transmits to the server device 20 the unique identification information provided to the information image file and the file name of the information image file. In addition, billing is applied to the server device 30. The MPU21 of the server apparatus which received the billing application compares the IP address and host name of the terminal which was accessed this time, and received identification information and image file name with the generation log, and the same information image file was processed in the past with the same information image file. It is determined whether it has been supplied to (305). As a result, if the same image file has been supplied, the current supply is not charged. On the other hand, when the same information image file has never been supplied to the image data processing 305 in the same terminal, it is set as a new supply and is subject to charging.

[Billing processing (2)]

In the first charging method, the second charging method is a method of newly charging when the supply of the same information image file from the same terminal is the supply of another day. As a method of using an information image file, a usage method such as allowing a free content service to be received within an expiration date is considered. In such a case, if the same information image file in the same terminal can be repeatedly supplied without charging, the expiration date of the free content service becomes meaningless. Therefore, billing is performed on another day even when the same information image file is supplied from the same terminal.

When the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 305, the MPU 31 of the terminal device transmits to the server device 20 the unique identification information provided to the information image file and the file name of the information image file. In addition, billing is applied to the server device 30. The MPU21 of the server apparatus which has received the billing application compares the IP address and host name of the terminal which has been accessed this time, and the received identification information and image file name with the generation log, and judges whether exactly the same data is registered on the same date. As a result, if it is registered on the same date, the billing is not performed. On the other hand, when the same data is not registered on the same day, charging is performed for the supply of the current information image file.

[Billing method (3)]

In the first and second charging methods, it may be determined whether the same user is used instead of the same terminal. In this case, a user certification authority (function) is installed inside or outside the server apparatus 20, and when access is requested from the terminal apparatus 30 to the server apparatus 20, the user certification authority requests authentication from the user. When the user's authentication is correctly performed, access to the server device 30 is allowed. According to this, since a user can be identified, it can be judged whether the same information image file was supplied to the image data processing 305 in the past on a user basis.

Here, the form of embedding the image related information in the information image file (icon), as well as packaged in the icon format as described above, and packaged using a Java (trademark) applet, ActiveX (trademark) control, etc. It is possible to carry out by. Both Java applets and ActiveX controls are program units that can run browser software such as Netscape (trademark) and Internet Explorer (trademark). The execution code is written in the Java applet as the Java intermediate code, and the ActiveX control in the CPU native code, so that the browser can start execution. In addition, both Java applets and ActiveX controls can display their graphics on the browser's display surface. When using these Java applets, ActiveX controls, etc., the applet enough to display an image is prepared instead of the icon which embedded the relevant information. In addition, the icon is displayed using the (IMG) tag on the browser, and the applet can be executed using the (EMBED) or (APPLET) tag. The embedding of the related information may be performed in the form of a program.

According to the present invention, the corresponding identification information is generated by generating unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target, and adding the generated identification information to predetermined image data provided by the transaction information providing apparatus to record the corresponding relationship between the identification information and the transaction target. Referring to the relationship, the transaction object corresponding to the identification information added to the image data can be specified, and the payment processing device can acquire payment information such as a name, a price, etc. set separately for each transaction object relatively easily.

Therefore, the user can specify the transaction target later only by keeping the image data to which the identification information is added. As a result, payment can be performed relatively easily, and the user can easily conduct commerce.

Claims (15)

A transaction information providing device that provides at least image data of a transaction object through a network, a payment processing device that executes payment processing, and image data from the transaction information providing device, and requests payment from the payment processing device. In an electronic commerce system having a terminal, Identification information adding means for generating unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target and adding the generated identification information to predetermined image data provided by the transaction information providing apparatus; Identification information recording means for recording a correspondence relationship between the identification information added by the identification information adding means and the transaction object; E-commerce system comprising a. The method of claim 1, And the identification information recording means records payment information corresponding to the identification information. The method of claim 1, And said identification information adding means generates said identification information having information indicating a method of accessing said payment processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, And said identification information adding means generates said identification information having unique identification information in response to an access from said terminal. An electronic commerce method in which a terminal, which has acquired image data of a transaction target provided from a transaction information providing device, via a network, requests a payment processing from a payment processing device. Generating unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target, The generated identification information is added to predetermined image data transmitted by the transaction information providing apparatus, And a corresponding relationship between the added identification information and the transaction target. When the transaction information providing device that provides at least image data of a transaction object via a network provides predetermined image data, the transaction information providing device generates unique identification information corresponding to the transaction object, and the transaction information providing device generates the identification information. Identification information adding means for adding to predetermined image data to be provided; Identification information recording means for recording a correspondence relationship between the identification information added by the identification information addition means and the transaction object; Identification information appending device, characterized in that it comprises a. When the transaction information providing apparatus that provides at least image data of a transaction object through a network provides the predetermined image data, the transaction information providing device generates unique identification information corresponding to the transaction object, The generated identification information is added to predetermined image data provided by the transaction information providing apparatus, A computer-readable recording medium having recorded therein an identification information addition program for recording a corresponding relationship between the added identification information and the transaction object. A transaction information providing apparatus for providing at least image data of a transaction object to a terminal connected through a network, Identification information adding means for generating unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target and adding the generated identification information to predetermined image data provided by the information providing apparatus; Identification information recording means for recording a correspondence relationship between the identification information added by the identification information adding means and the transaction object; Transaction information providing apparatus comprising a. When providing the image data of a predetermined transaction object to the terminal connected via a network, the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction object is generated, The generated identification information is added to the predetermined image data, And a transaction information providing program for recording a corresponding relationship between the added identification information and the transaction object. Payment information recording means for recording payment information corresponding to the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target; Payment information providing means for obtaining and providing payment information corresponding to the identification information from the payment information recording means when the identification information is instructed. Billing information providing device comprising a. Record the payment information corresponding to the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target, And a payment information providing program for acquiring and providing payment information corresponding to the identification information when the identification information is instructed. Payment information acquiring means for acquiring payment information corresponding to the indicated identification information from a payment information providing device that provides payment information corresponding to the identification information when the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target is designated and the payment is instructed; Payment processing means for processing a payment based on the payment information acquired by said payment information obtaining means; Payment processing device comprising a. When the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction target is specified and the payment is instructed, the payment information corresponding to the designated identification information is acquired from the payment information providing device that provides the payment information corresponding to the identification information, A computer-readable recording medium storing a payment processing program for processing a payment based on the acquired payment information. Image data acquiring means for acquiring image data to which the unique identification information corresponding to the transaction object is added, from a transaction information providing device that provides at least image data of a transaction object; Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data acquired by the image data acquisition means; Payment request means for requesting payment to a payment processing device that processes payment in accordance with the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means. E-commerce terminal comprising a. Obtaining, from at least a transaction information providing device for providing image data of a transaction object, image data to which unique identification information corresponding to the transaction object has been added; Extracting the identification information from the acquired image data, A computer-readable recording medium having recorded therein an electronic commerce program requesting a payment to a payment processing device that processes a payment in accordance with the extracted identification information.